System Login for windows

I need to equip my computers running XP Home with a system password so I can control when my kids use the computer. The login would be before the windows welcome screen loads. They all have their owm desk tops.

A senerio would be kids start the computer. A login dialog box appears. Kids need to get a parent that knows the password to continue to use the computer.

I have written the password dialog in VC++ 6 but don't know how to get to run at the proper time.

Any Ideas?

Good Computing,

Bill Hughes

 

Thank you

Pete,

Yes they all have there own accounts and there own passwords. Having there own passwords gives them a cetain importance. As a last resort I would take their passwords awayfrom them. I was hoping to find out where in windows startup I could launch password dialog.

Thank you for taking time to help me out.

 

Thank you for the BIOS idea

Petec,

I had forgot about the BIOS password until you mentioned it. The first computer I set the password and it worked great. The second a dream come true. The third a different story. I have a eMachine T3085 and the BIOS does not support a password on bootup. Although you can set it in the BIOS. Now I have to figure out if a BIOS upgrade will give me the boot up password option I need. Maybe less expensive then upgrading to XP Pro.

Thank you again for taking your time to help me with my problem.

 

Login screen for XP Home

Pete,

I have it figured out. I have to work out a few bugs but here is the scenerio. Write a minimal windows program. Very easy with the Wizzards. Make a dialog box in the resource editor. Start the windows program and call up the dialog if the password is correct the windows application closes. If the password doesn't match keep asking. Eventually shut down the system after you get tired of asking.

Things I don't know:

What controls the size of window that opens when you start an application. It is key to the success of this program that the window be opened maximum. Is there a setting you can over ride before opening the window or do you have to programmically force maximum after the window is open.

How to start the dialog box without an event. I was thinking of trying the constructor since that is only called once.

How to programmically shut down a windows application.

How to programmically shut down the system.

You would place the program in each users startup. They could have there own password although the first think they would run into is another login screen.

I think I can figure these things out.